In addition to the BTW Vision Gala, Montreal will also celebrate and honour the Black community at the second annual Gala Dynastie being held at the TOHU on February 3. Popular Quebec entertainer Gardy Fury will host, and awards will be given in 20 categories, such as Breakthrough Television Personality of the Year and World-Music Artist or Group of the Year. Performers include LA-based Montrealers and hip hop neo-ragtime revivalists Parlor Social (a.k.a. Dessy Di Lauro and Ric’key Pageot), the Jireh Gospel Choir, as well as the power-vocal soul trio of Sylvie Desgroseilliers, Kim Richardson and Marie-Christine Depestre, performing a tribute to women. For tickets, visit galadynastie.com.

If you are unable to see hip hop neo-ragtime revivalists Parlor Social (a.k.a. Dessy Di Lauro and Ric’key Pageot) at the Gala Dynastie before the duo return to California, they will headline two intimate shows on February 10 (at 7 pm and 9:45 pm) at the downtown Upstairs Jazz Bar & Grill, which has been recognized by no less than Downbeat magazine as one of the finest jazz venues on the planet. This is a hot ticket, so reservations are a must. Visit upstairsjazz.com.